UNIT 9
Housing, Home & Garbage Rules
Housing, Home & Garbage Rules
Lesson 5: Garbage Rules in Japan
ゴミはいつだしますか — Understanding Japan’s Garbage System
⏱️ About 25 minutes ／ 📊 Level: Beginner (N5) ／ 🗣️ Speaking + Reading
Before You Start
Japan has one of the world’s most detailed garbage separation systems. Getting it wrong can lead to your garbage being refused at the collection point — which is embarrassing and inconvenient. In this lesson you will learn how to ask when and where to put out garbage, understand the categories, and find out about designated garbage bags.
What you will learn:
- Ask when to put out garbage — ゴミはいつ出しますか
- Ask where to put it — ゴミはどこに出しますか
- Ask about burnable garbage day — 燃えるゴミはいつですか
- Ask about non-burnable garbage day — 燃えないゴミはいつですか
- Ask about recyclable garbage day — 資源ゴミはいつですか
- Ask about designated bags — 指定袋はありますか
- Understand the “no day-before” rule — 前の日に出さないでください
1. Key Phrases ／ きほんのフレーズ
ゴミはいつ出しますか。
Gomi wa itsu dashimasu ka.
When do I take out garbage?
ゴミはどこに出しますか。
Gomi wa doko ni dashimasu ka.
Where do I take out garbage?
燃えるゴミはいつですか。
Moeru gomi wa itsu desu ka.
When is burnable garbage day?
燃えないゴミはいつですか。
Moenai gomi wa itsu desu ka.
When is non-burnable garbage day?
資源ゴミはいつですか。
Shigen gomi wa itsu desu ka.
When is recyclable garbage day?
指定袋はありますか。
Shitee bukuro wa arimasu ka.
Is there a designated garbage bag?
前の日に出さないでください。
Mae no hi ni dasanaide kudasai.
Please do not put it out the day before.
2. Phrase Notes ／ ポイント
① The three main garbage categories in Japan
Japan separates garbage into categories that vary slightly by municipality, but these three are universal across the country.
燃えるゴミ (moeru gomi) — burnable garbage
Food scraps, paper, kitchen waste. Usually 2 times per week.
Food scraps, paper, kitchen waste. Usually 2 times per week.
燃えないゴミ (moenai gomi) — non-burnable garbage
Metal, glass, ceramics, small electrical items. Usually 1–2 times per month.
Metal, glass, ceramics, small electrical items. Usually 1–2 times per month.
資源ゴミ (shigen gomi) — recyclable garbage
Cans, bottles, PET bottles, cardboard, newspapers. Usually 1 time per week.
Cans, bottles, PET bottles, cardboard, newspapers. Usually 1 time per week.
② 指定袋 — designated garbage bags
Many cities in Japan require you to use specific coloured or labelled garbage bags (指定袋) sold at convenience stores or supermarkets. Using the wrong bag can result in your garbage being left at the collection point. Always ask your management company or landlord: 指定袋はありますか.
③ 前の日に出さないでください — the timing rule
前の日 = the day before. 出さないでください = “please don’t put out.” In Japan, putting garbage out the night before collection is generally prohibited — crows and animals can tear open bags. Garbage must be put out on the morning of collection day, usually before 8 AM.
⚠️ Important Rule
Breaking garbage rules in Japan is taken seriously. Neighbours may leave a note on improperly sorted garbage. The rules are printed on a schedule (ゴミカレンダー) available from the ward office. Many municipalities also have an English version available online. When in doubt, ask your management company: ゴミのルールを教えてください.
Breaking garbage rules in Japan is taken seriously. Neighbours may leave a note on improperly sorted garbage. The rules are printed on a schedule (ゴミカレンダー) available from the ward office. Many municipalities also have an English version available online. When in doubt, ask your management company: ゴミのルールを教えてください.
3. Garbage Words ／ ゴミのことば
♻️ Garbage Categories
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 燃えるゴミ | moeru gomi | burnable garbage |
| 燃えないゴミ | moenai gomi | non-burnable garbage |
| 資源ゴミ | shigen gomi | recyclable garbage |
| 粗大ゴミ | sodai gomi | large/bulky garbage (needs special collection) |
📋 Key Garbage Words
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| ゴミ置き場 | gomi okiba | garbage collection point |
| 指定袋 | shitee bukuro | designated garbage bag |
| 出します | dashimasu | put out / take out |
| 前の日 | mae no hi | the day before |
4. Conversation Practice ／ かいわ
💬 Conversation 1 — Asking When to Put Out Garbage
💬 Conversation 2 — Designated Bags
💬 Conversation 3 — Where Is the Garbage Point?
💬 Conversation 4 — Large Item Disposal
5. Vocabulary ／ たんご
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| ゴミ | gomi | garbage / trash |
| 燃えるゴミ | moeru gomi | burnable garbage |
| 燃えないゴミ | moenai gomi | non-burnable garbage |
| 資源ゴミ | shigen gomi | recyclable garbage |
| 出します | dashimasu | put out / take out |
| 指定袋 | shitee bukuro | designated garbage bag |
| ゴミ置き場 | gomi okiba | garbage collection point |
| 粗大ゴミ | sodai gomi | bulky/large garbage |
6. Check Your Understanding ／ クイズ
Think about each question first. Answers and explanations are shown below.
Q1. What does 「ゴミはいつ出しますか。」 mean?
A. Where is the garbage? B. What kind of garbage? C. When do I take out garbage? D. Is there a garbage bag?
Answer: C
ゴミはいつ出しますか = “When do I take out garbage?” いつ = when. 出します = put out / take out. The first question to ask when you move in.
ゴミはいつ出しますか = “When do I take out garbage?” いつ = when. 出します = put out / take out. The first question to ask when you move in.
Q2. What does 「燃えるゴミ」 mean?
A. Non-burnable garbage B. Recyclable garbage C. Large garbage D. Burnable garbage
Answer: D
燃えるゴミ = burnable garbage (food scraps, paper, kitchen waste). 燃えない = non-burnable. 資源 = recyclable. 燃える = to burn.
燃えるゴミ = burnable garbage (food scraps, paper, kitchen waste). 燃えない = non-burnable. 資源 = recyclable. 燃える = to burn.
Q3. What does 「資源ゴミ」 mean?
A. Large garbage B. Food scraps C. Recyclable garbage D. Non-burnable garbage
Answer: C
資源ゴミ = recyclable garbage (cans, bottles, PET bottles, newspapers, cardboard). 資源 = resources.
資源ゴミ = recyclable garbage (cans, bottles, PET bottles, newspapers, cardboard). 資源 = resources.
Q4. What is a 「指定袋」?
A. A garbage collection day B. A designated garbage bag C. A garbage collection point D. A garbage schedule
Answer: B
指定袋 = a designated garbage bag required by the municipality. Sold at convenience stores. Using the wrong bag can result in your garbage being refused.
指定袋 = a designated garbage bag required by the municipality. Sold at convenience stores. Using the wrong bag can result in your garbage being refused.
Q5. What does 「前の日に出さないでください。」 mean?
A. Please put it out the day before. B. Please put it out early in the morning. C. Please do not put it out the day before. D. Please put it in the right bag.
Answer: C
前の日に出さないでください = “Please do not put it out the day before.” Garbage must go out on the morning of collection day — usually before 8 AM.
前の日に出さないでください = “Please do not put it out the day before.” Garbage must go out on the morning of collection day — usually before 8 AM.
Q6. How do you ask “Where do I put out garbage?”
A. ゴミはいつ出しますか。 B. ゴミはどこに出しますか。 C. 燃えるゴミはいつですか。 D. 指定袋はありますか。
Answer: B
ゴミはどこに出しますか = “Where do I put out garbage?” どこに = where to. The garbage point is usually called ゴミ置き場.
ゴミはどこに出しますか = “Where do I put out garbage?” どこに = where to. The garbage point is usually called ゴミ置き場.
7. Match the Meaning ／ れんしゅう
ゴミはいつ出しますか。 → ______
ゴミはどこに出しますか。 → ______
燃えるゴミはいつですか。 → ______
燃えないゴミはいつですか。 → ______
資源ゴミはいつですか。 → ______
指定袋はありますか。 → ______
前の日に出さないでください。 → ______
Choices: A. When is non-burnable garbage day? B. Please do not put it out the day before. C. When do I take out garbage? D. When is burnable garbage day? E. Where do I take out garbage? F. Is there a designated bag? G. When is recyclable garbage day?
Answers: ゴミはいつ出しますか = C ／ ゴミはどこに出しますか = E ／ 燃えるゴミはいつですか = D ／ 燃えないゴミはいつですか = A ／ 資源ゴミはいつですか = G ／ 指定袋はありますか = F ／ 前の日に出さないでください = B
🚀 Mini Mission
Today’s mission: Practice asking about garbage rules in Japanese.
Ask your teacher all these garbage questions as if they are your landlord:
ゴミはいつ出しますか。／ ゴミはどこに出しますか。／ 燃えるゴミはいつですか。／ 指定袋はありますか。／ 前の日に出してもいいですか。
📘 Review ／ まとめ
In this lesson you learned how to ask about Japan’s garbage system and understand the key rules.
燃えるゴミはいつですか。(When is burnable day?)
ゴミはどこに出しますか。(Where do I put it?)
指定袋はありますか。(Designated bag?)
前の日に出さないでください。(Not the day before.)
ゴミはどこに出しますか。(Where do I put it?)
指定袋はありますか。(Designated bag?)
前の日に出さないでください。(Not the day before.)
💡 The three categories to remember: 燃えるゴミ (burnable) / 燃えないゴミ (non-burnable) / 資源ゴミ (recyclable). Always check the schedule on your first day — and never put garbage out the night before.
FAQ
Q. What do I do with large items like furniture or appliances?
粗大ゴミ (bulky garbage) must be scheduled separately. Contact your ward office (区役所) by phone or online to book a collection. You will usually receive a sticker to attach to the item and pay a fee. Do not simply leave large items at the garbage point without registering — it is illegal.
Q. What happens if I put garbage in the wrong category?
The garbage will be left at the collection point with a tag attached explaining why it was not collected (ゴミ出しのルールが守られていません = “The garbage rules were not followed”). You will need to take it back and put it out correctly on the right day. Neighbours take garbage sorting seriously in Japan.
Q. Where can I find the garbage schedule in English?
Many cities provide multilingual garbage schedules on their ward office website. Search for your city name + “garbage schedule English” online. Apps like さんあ～る (3R) also provide garbage day notifications in multiple languages and are available for free on iOS and Android.
🏠 Practice with a real teacher
Want to Practice with a Teacher?
Understanding Japan’s garbage rules is essential for daily life. Try a free trial lesson and practise asking about garbage rules until they feel natural and easy.
Online or in-person — both available on request.